Effect of music intervention on mental health in patients with diabetes mellitus: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomizsed controlled trials

Comparing Email Versus Text Messaging as Delivery Platforms for Supporting Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: Noninferiority Randomized Controlled Trial

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) poses significant global health challenges, with available treatments often insufficient in achieving remission for many patients. Digital health technologies, such as SMS text messaging-based cognitive behavioral therapy, offer accessible alternatives but may not reach all individuals. Email communication presents a secure avenue for health communication, yet its effectiveness compared to SMS text messaging in providing mental health support for patients with MDD remains uncertain.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to compare the efficacy of email versus SMS text messaging as delivery platforms for supporting patients with MDD, addressing a critical gap in understanding optimal digital interventions for mental health care.

METHODS

A randomized noninferiority pilot trial was conducted, comparing outcomes for patients receiving 6-week daily supportive messages via email with those receiving messages via SMS text message. This duration corresponds to a minimum of 180 days of message delivery. The supportive messages maintained consistent length and structure across both delivery methods. Participants (N=66) were recruited from the Access 24/7 clinic in Edmonton, Alberta, among those who were diagnosed with MDD. The outcomes were measured at baseline and 6 months after enrollment using the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), and the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5).

RESULTS

Most of the participants were females (n=43, 65%), aged between 26 and 40 years (n=34, 55%), had high school education (n=35, 58%), employed (n=33, 50%), and single (n=24, 36%). Again, most participants had had no history of any major physical illness (n=56, 85%) and (n=61, 92%) responded "No" to having a history of admission for treatment of mood disorders. There was no statistically significant difference in the mean changes in PHQ-9, GAD-7, and WHO-5 scores between the email and SMS text messaging groups (mean difference, 95% CI: -1.90, 95% CI -6.53 to 2.74; 5.78, 95% CI -1.94 to 13.50; and 11.85, 95% CI -3.81 to 27.51), respectively. Both supportive modalities showed potential in reducing depressive symptoms and improving quality of life.

CONCLUSIONS

The study's findings suggest that both email and SMS text messaging interventions have equivalent effectiveness in reducing depression symptoms among individuals with MDD. As digital technology continues to evolve, harnessing the power of multiple digital platforms for mental health interventions can significantly contribute to bridging the existing treatment gaps and improving the overall well-being of individuals with depressive conditions. Further research is needed with a larger sample size to confirm and expand upon these findings.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04638231; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8552095/.

Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation With and Without Text4Support for the Treatment of Resistant Depression: Protocol for a Patient-Centered Multicenter Randomized Controlled Pilot Trial

BACKGROUND

Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) is the inability of a patient with major depressive disorder (MDD) to accomplish or achieve remission after an adequate trial of antidepressant treatments. Several combinations and augmentation treatment strategies for TRD exist, including the use of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), and new therapeutic options are being introduced. Text4Support, a text message-based form of cognitive behavioral therapy that allows patients with MDD to receive daily supportive text messages for correcting or altering negative thought patterns through positive reinforcement, may be a useful augmentation treatment strategy for patients with TRD. It is however currently unknown if adding the Text4Support intervention will enhance the response of patients with TRD to rTMS treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the initial comparative clinical effectiveness of rTMS with and without the Text4Support program as an innovative patient-centered intervention for the management of patients diagnosed with TRD.

METHODS

This study is a multicenter, prospective, parallel-design, 2-arm, rater-blinded randomized controlled pilot trial. The recruitment process is scheduled to last 12 months. It will involve active treatment for 6 weeks, observation, and a follow-up period of 6 months for participants in the study arms. In total, 200 participants diagnosed with TRD at rTMS care clinics in Edmonton, Alberta, and rTMS clinics in Halifax, Nova Scotia will be randomized to 1 of 2 treatment arms (rTMS sessions alone or rTMS sessions plus Text4Support intervention). Participants in each group will be made to complete evaluation measures at baseline, and 1, 3, and 6 months. The primary outcome measure will be the mean change in the scores of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). The secondary outcome measures will involve the scores of the 7-item Generalized Anxiety Disorders Scale (GAD-7), Columbia-Suicide Severity Rating Scale (CSSRS), and World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5). Patient data will be analyzed with descriptive statistics, repeated measures, and correlational analyses. Qualitative data will be analyzed using the thematic analysis framework.

RESULTS

The results of the study are expected to be available 18 months from the start of recruitment. We hypothesize that participants enrolled in the rTMS plus Text4Support intervention treatment arm of the study will achieve superior outcomes compared with the outcomes of participants enrolled in the rTMS alone arm.

CONCLUSIONS

The application of the combination of rTMS and Text4Support has not been investigated previously. Therefore, we hope that this study will provide a concrete base of data to evaluate the practical application and efficacy of using the novel combination of these 2 treatment modalities.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

PRR1-10.2196/46830.

Text Messaging Versus Email Messaging to Support Patients With Major Depressive Disorder: Protocol for a Randomized Hybrid Type II Effectiveness-Implementation Trial

BACKGROUND

Major depressive disorder (MDD) accounts for 40.5% of disability-adjusted life years caused by mental and substance use disorders. Barriers such as stigma and financial and physical access to care have been reported, highlighting the need for innovative, accessible, and cost-effective psychological interventions. The effectiveness of supportive SMS text messaging in alleviating depression symptoms has been proven in clinical trials, but this approach can only help those with mobile phones.

OBJECTIVE

This paper presents the protocol for a study that will aim to evaluate the feasibility, comparative effectiveness, and user satisfaction of daily supportive email messaging as an effective strategy compared to daily supportive text messaging as part of the treatment of patients with MDD.

METHODS

This trial will be carried out using a hybrid type II implementation-effectiveness design. This design evaluates the effectiveness of an implementation strategy or intervention, while also evaluating the implementation context associated with the intervention. Patients with MDD receiving usual care will be randomized to receive either daily supportive email messaging or daily supportive text messaging of the same content for 6 months. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and the 5-item World Health Organization Well-Being Index will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of both strategies. The implementation evaluation will be guided by the RE-AIM (Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance) framework, as well as the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. All outcome measures will be analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Data collection for this trial began in April 2021. We expect the study results to be available within 18 months of study commencement. The results will shed light on the feasibility, acceptability, and effectiveness of using automated emails as a strategy for delivering supportive messages to patients with MDD in comparison to text messaging.

CONCLUSIONS

The outcome of this trial will have translational impact on routine patient care and access to mental health, as well as potentially support mental health policy decision-making for health care resource allocation.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04638231; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04638231.

INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT IDENTIFIER (IRRID)

DERR1-10.2196/29495.